The French embassy in Nairobi said the asset sale is part of a strategy to centralise the ambassador’s residence and embassy in one location.

“We are selling the property because the embassy is moving. We are willing to gather all services together — residence included,” the diplomatic mission told the Business Daily. The French embassy in Nairobi is currently located in Barclays Plaza on Loita Street.

Relocation to a new property is expected to be complete in the first half of 2017. Paris also has a consulate in the Kenyan seaside city of Mombasa.

The embassy declined to reveal the expected proceeds from the asset sale.

“We don’t expect to raise money, just to sell a property that we don’t use any more, at a normal price,” the French embassy said.

In 2014, Paris began constructing the new French diplomatic hub along Peponi Gardens Road in Westlands, on a property the European country previously owned.

“All the embassy’s services will move to Peponi road during the course of next year on a property that has belonged to France for a while,” said the embassy adding that the land is on freehold and belongs to France.

Land on the flanks of Ngong Road could cost between Sh50 million and Sh100 million an acre, going by past transactions.

The National Land Commission in 2014 paid out Sh215.03 million to compulsorily acquire a 4.914-acre plot located within Karen Estate along Ngong Road belonging to billionaire businessman Stanley Munga Githunguri.